KUCHING: The people of Sarawak have many hopes for TV Sarawak, Sarawak’s very own television station which was recently announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
During his Sarawak Day speech on Wednesday (July 22), he revealed that the Ministry of Multimedia and Communications had granted Sarawak a ten-year licence to operate a television station in Kuching.
The station, managed by Sarawak government-linked company (GLC) Sarawak Media Group (SMG), will provide broadcasting services as a free-to-air channel, online publishing and information provisioning services.
Sarawakians have given the thumbs-up to this initiative, sharing their hopes for TV Sarawak with New Sarawak Tribune.
LEANDRO MCRAE, 24, SUPERVISOR
‘I hope TV Sarawak will provide more coverage on the state than the current stations. Some content ideas are interesting locations for vacations, the beauty of Sarawak as well as its culture.
‘I also hope this new television station will cover the complaints and needs of the people, especially those in the rural areas.’
ALLEN LIEW, 25, PARALEGAL
“I hope TV Sarawak will disseminate correct information to the public while promoting the state to the whole nation and the world.
‘Our culture in Sarawak is so special, precious and harmonious that everyone should come and explore it. If the state can make good use of this opportunity, West Malaysians and people all over the world may have a different view of Sarawak.’
SPANSKI STEVEN, 24, MALAYSIAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT MEMBER
“TV Sarawak is a good initiative of our state government. I hope it can be a platform for our youth to showcase their talents. I hope it will be filled with Sarawakian programmes, making Sarawak matters and news a priority in its broadcasts.”
DENNY LIM
‘TV Sarawak will be able to channel the latest information on the state. I hope it can also promote Sarawak as a tourism centre rich in nature and cultural uniqueness. I also hope for the upgrading of infrastructure facilities so that the television network can be enjoyed by the rural folk.’
SONIA LUHONG WAN, 30, PROGRAMME ASSOCIATE
‘I hope TV Sarawak will inspire a future generation of Sarawakian filmmakers and journalists while broadcasting pertinent on-the-ground social issues in the state beyond just Sarawak’s culture and history.’
LINDA DANA, 33, TEACHER
‘Hopefully, TV Sarawak will not only showcase the different ethnicities in Sarawak but also their respective cultural practices so that they will not be washed away by modernisation.
‘It will be good to see documentaries and music programmes showcasing aspects of the various ethnicities. I also hope that the station will be a communication network which unites Sarawakians.’
MOHAMMAD REZZA ABDULLAH BAHIDA
“The introduction of TV Sarawak can help to enhance and uplift the local creative industry. It acts as a platform for local creative industry players to showcase their talents. It will motivate young local artistes.’
MUJAN LAH, 49, CONTRACTOR
‘I hope our very own television station will provide good coverage of programmes and activities of government and private agencies in the state. I hope that this initiative will be able to help local artistes whose incomes have been badly affected by the implementation of the movement control order.’
